I think you've got the
makings of an interesting juxtaposition here, all to do with perception: the gas
station attendant's perception of the man with blood on his shirt seems
strangely connected to your own perception of Waffle House. Both of you wanted
minimal contact with someone or something that you found offensive or dirty or
otherwise dangerous. This beginning seems ripe for self-critique of the sort
that Davidson has been encouraging of late. You seem hyper aware of the gas
station attendant's problematic assumptions, but how can you start to
deconstruct your own assumptions? Not that I don't get your feelings about
Waffle House--I completely agree. In fact, I won't eat there.
But I
wonder if restaurants (or public spots, in general) that appear cleaner than
Waffle House are in fact any less in need of a thorough disinfecting. I often
think about who touched the ketchup bottle, the salt shakers, etc. How clean is
my plate, really, before my order is piled on top? How about that fork? Did the
person wrapping my silverware have clean hands?
Even more generally, you
might question the idea of standards? The station attendant had his and so do
you. Could you play with that and bring in reflection that might give this piece
some depth? Maybe show you questioning your own assumptions? Even your son has
expectations associated with Waffle House, which you could play with as well.
When he says "this was the reason he likes coming to Waffle House," what exactly
is he implying? That Waffle House invites interesting characters? If so, it
reminds me of one of my own problematic assumptions: I've been in Wal-Mart a few
times at 2 or 3am, and caught myself thinking "there are some crazies out at
this time at night." But I was there, too, so hmmmmmm. Anyway, I think you have
the perfect opportunity here to dig deep with reflection and self-analysis.
I think you've got the makings of an interesting juxtaposition here, all to do with perception: the gas station attendant's perception of the man with blood on his shirt seems strangely connected to your own perception of Waffle House. Both of you wanted minimal contact with someone or something that you found offensive or dirty or otherwise dangerous. This beginning seems ripe for self-critique of the sort that Davidson has been encouraging of late. You seem hyper aware of the gas station attendant's problematic assumptions, but how can you start to deconstruct your own assumptions? Not that I don't get your feelings about Waffle House--I completely agree. In fact, I won't eat there.
But I wonder if restaurants (or public spots, in general) that appear cleaner than Waffle House are in fact any less in need of a thorough disinfecting. I often think about who touched the ketchup bottle, the salt shakers, etc. How clean is my plate, really, before my order is piled on top? How about that fork? Did the person wrapping my silverware have clean hands?
Even more generally, you might question the idea of standards? The station attendant had his and so do you. Could you play with that and bring in reflection that might give this piece some depth? Maybe show you questioning your own assumptions? Even your son has expectations associated with Waffle House, which you could play with as well. When he says "this was the reason he likes coming to Waffle House," what exactly is he implying? That Waffle House invites interesting characters? If so, it reminds me of one of my own problematic assumptions: I've been in Wal-Mart a few times at 2 or 3am, and caught myself thinking "there are some crazies out at this time at night." But I was there, too, so hmmmmmm. Anyway, I think you have the perfect opportunity here to dig deep with reflection and self-analysis.